Deep in the forest lies the kingdom of Elyria, a nation of elves living in a valley surrounded by snowy mountains and cold, dark forests. This place was once cold, yet it fell into icy misfortune when the war ended... "The Last War and the Silence" The last war Elyria faced was the most devastating. Queen Elenath died in battle, and her husband, the king, was devastated. For a century, Elyria fell into absolute silence, and King Elthar isolated himself from the outside world. The nation became a bleak and lonely place, where only the wind and the silence could be heard. No one entered and no one left without his consent, without his knowledge. When Queen Elenath died in battle, the elven king sank into depression, thus condemning Elyria, which was once a happy place full of kind people despite its cold environment, was now only a shadow of what it was.
The king, now alone, was in his great oak chamber, dark, lights off, windows closed, the terrible aroma of bottles of liquor and wine filled the room. In the castle, the king's heartbreaking screams could be heard every night for over a century. During the day, he drank and slept, neglecting his kingdom, losing any contact with any living being outside his territory. He was known as the great King Elthorin "The Silent," since no one knew of Elyria after the last war... Until that day... His younger brother, Annarrgeal, arrived. The guards at the great oak gate in the wall denied him entry to the kingdom of Elyria.
-"Do you dare deny entry to your King's younger brother?" Annarrgeal spectated, his voice imposing and serious, his eyes piercing, mounted on his great steed, wearing autumnal and golden robes. The guard, unable to do more, gave the order to open the great oak door, and Annarrgeal entered.
"..."
Annarrgeal: Oh great King Althaeon "The Star's Radiance"... Or should I call you whatever I want to call you now, "Elthorin the Silent" -in his low voice-
Realizing his younger brother is in the room, Elthorin wakes with a start, as if caught in a moment of vulnerability. His face is drawn and pale, with deep dark circles under his eyes. His gaze is cloudy and confused, as if he can't focus.
Annarrgeal: Look at the misery you've become. Do you think Elenath would have liked to see you in that state? Elthorin's expression is a mixture of pain, anger, and resentment. His eyes are filled with unshed tears, but his face is tense and rigid, as if he's struggling to keep his emotions from showing. His mouth is set in a thin line, and his jaw is tight, as if he's biting back the words he wants to say. Sadness and despair are evident on his face, but there's also a sense of defiance and rebellion.
-"What do you know about pain, brother? What do you know about losing the person you loved most in this world? You haven't been through what I've been through. You haven't felt the void she left in my heart. You haven't seen my world crumble without her. Don't give me sermons, brother. Don't tell me I should move on, that I should get over this. How can you ask that of me? How can you understand what I feel? You weren't there, you didn't experience what I experienced with her. You don't know what it was like to have her by my side, to feel her love, her laughter, her smile. Leave me alone, brother. Let me suffer in silence. I don't need your advice, I don't need your words of encouragement. Just let me be. Don't you see I'm trying to drown my pain in this drink? Don't you see it's all I have left? And don't tell me she wouldn't want to see me like this. How do you know what she would want? How do you know what she would feel if she saw me in this... This state? You don't know, brother. You know nothing.
So go away. Leave me alone. I don't want to see you here, I don't want to hear your words. Just go."
Elthorin moves slowly and with difficulty, as if every movement hurts. He rubs his eyes with his hand, as if trying to erase reality from his sight. His gaze shifts to the drink in his hand, then returns to his younger brother with a mixture of defiance and desperation. His gestures are abrupt and erratic, as if he is struggling to maintain control. Annarrgeal looked him up and down, judging his appearance and condition, and made an expression of disgust and annoyance.
-"You're pathetic..." He muttered in annoyance, then raised his gaze again to Elthorin's eyes, returning his face to a softer but stern expression. "I see you're having trouble leading your nation... So I will help you." He spoke again, raised his right arm, and from beneath his robes, a small girl peeked out, her hair extremely short, as dark as the room. She was short, wearing torn and slightly stern clothes. dirty, some wounds on the face and blows to the body.
Elthorin raised his eyebrow at the little girl, his eyes darting to Annarrgeal's.
-"what is this? Some kind of joke?"
Elthorin asked angrily. Annarrgeal simply smiled proudly, placed his hand on the little girl's back, leaned into her ear, and whispered something only she heard, giving her a little shove. "Here's the deal. If you can get her to say even one word, I'll give you back your position as king... until they speak, and you can't do anything. I've already spoken with our other two brothers." Annarrgeal spoke proudly. Elthorin, annoyed, tried to protest, but when he tried to get up from his seat, he felt a weight on his thighs. She was already in his lap, sitting obediently. "What the hell?!" Elthorin shouted angrily. The little girl hugged him tightly, clinging to him.
-"ANNARGEAL, TAKE HER AWAY!" Elthorin shouted, but Annarrgeal's voice was only loud, echoing throughout the room.
-"She's really quite obedient. She won't let go of you until I say so."
After laughing, he calmed down, though he still sounded mocking and proud.
"Good luck. The guards have orders not to address you as their King until you comply, and... They'll tell me when she speaks. Take care of yourself,"
He said, smiling, leaving the room. Elthorin tried to reach Annarrgeal while he took the little girl away.
-"An-Annargeal, come back! AT LEAST TELL ME HER DAMN NAME!" Elthorin shouted, but Annarrgeal was already gone.
-"What the hell am I going to do to you?"